'I want to show that having a disability won't hold you back': British personal trainer who had leg amputated when he was 16 to become first disabled man to model at New York fashion week
 'I want to show that having a disability won't hold you back': British personal trainer who had leg amputated when he was 16 to become first disabled man to model at New York fashion week ''It all feels so surreal,' said Mr Eyers. 'I can’t believe this is actually happening. To be the first male amputee model on a New York Fashion Week runway feels amazing - it feels like such a big deal. 'It’s amazing to think I’ll be wearing clothes designed by such a prestigious man,' added an excited Mr Eyers. 'I’m in good company. 'I always said if I was going to do something like this, I want to do it big. I want people to see me, and to realise that there needs to be more disabled models walking the runway.' Mr Eyers became an amputee at the age of 16, after having his right leg, which had been left withered by a condition called Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency, amputated Fed up with constant trips to hospital, Mr Eyers opted for the amputation in the hope of finally being able to lead a normal life. 'Growing up with the deformed leg was really hard - I had no muscle structure or knee joint and I walked with a really pronounced limp. 'At primary school I was really into sports but it was hard to join in, and I would get bullied. 'I remember at the age of around seven saying I wanted to have it amputated but I needed to wait until it stopped growing - it felt like this devil attached to me. When I finally got it removed it felt like I’d been reborn.' Finally rid of the leg that had caused him so much pain, Mr Eyers became a fitness fanatic, and started to look into a career in modelling. He eventually came across Models of Diversity, a company that campaigns for more diversity within the modelling industry. Signed on the spot, his career has gone from strength to strength, and was even crowned Men’s Health Magazine’s Man of the Year. 'Once I’d had my leg amputated I started to gain confidence and went to the gym,' he explains of his impressive career. 'I initially wanted to join the fire service, but I soon realised that it just wouldn’t be possible as an amputee - so I looked at what else I could do and discovered personal training. |
